“AN OPERA YOU CAN MAMBO TO” RICK PALLEY, BROOKLYN SKYLINE KITTY BRAZELTON COMPOSER rejoices in the keen expression she achieves by infusing vernacular American dialects into deep, complex structures. Her full-length opera, Fireworks! was commissioned by American Opera Projects. She composed orchestral work Sleeping Out of Doors (1998); a piano concerto commissioned and premiered by conductor Kristjan Järvi’s Absolute Ensemble. Chamber music credits include the N.Y.S.C.A. cyber-punk fantasia 5 Dreams, marriage (premiered by her unique quartet, WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A BAT?), Manhattan Brass Quintet and the California EAR Unit. Brazelton created electronic compositions for pianist Kathleen Supové, duos Twisted Tutu and Double Edge, choreographers Jody Oberfelder and Gina Gibney, Kitchen House Blend and Relâche. BILLY ARONSON LIBRETTIST has written plays produced by Playwrights Horizons, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, and Welleet Harbor Actor's Theatre. Additional credits include original concept and lyrics for the hit musical Rent; Flurry Tale and Fireworks! for Family Opera Initiative; Cartoon Network, Children's Television Workshop (Sesame English and the Sesame Street home video), the Disney Channel, MTV, PBS, Nickelodeon, A&E International, The History Channel, and Comedy Central. Best American Short Plays 1992-1993, 1999-2000, and plays from the Woolly Mammoth. Aronson is a graduate of the Yale Drama School and Princeton University. GRETHE BARRETT HOLBY ORIGIN & DIRECTION “Propelling opera into the 21st century” NPR, and now “Busting the boundaries of opera” NYTimes, Holby’s background and skills in theatre & storytelling, dance & movement, and architecture & visual design combine to compelling results in all her productions. She has directed, choreographed, performed, collaborated on world premieres at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center Festival, Houston Grand Opera, La Scala (Milan), and for opera companies from Los Angeles to Washington DC, Anchorage to Memphis. An originating cast member of Einstein on the Beach, she has collaborated with legendary artists as diverse as Leonard Bernstein, Lou Reed, Robert Wilson and Yusef Komunyakaa. Founder of both Ardea Arts/Family Opera Initiative, American Opera Projects, she is a Rockefeller Fellowship recipient, and holds B.S. ; M.S. degrees from MIT. For licensing opportunities and other information contact Grethe Barrett Holby [email protected] 917-690-0272 212-431-7039 WWW.ARDEAARTS.COM FIREWORKS!WHAT MAKES US AMERICANS? LENGTH A hilarious opera/musical about a 65 minutes AGE GROUP curious Alien who travels to Earth Families of all ages to investigate why we shoot CAST colored lights into the sky every 3 Men: Tenor, Baritone, Bass 3 Women: Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Contralto year on the 4th of July. The Alien INSTRUMENTATION encounters a geeky high school *Band Version* Keyboard, Percussion, Violin, Electric Guitar, Reeds, boy, a rebellious teenage girl, a Cello pompous street actor and the *Full Orchestra Version* park’s groundskeeper, who wishes Violin 1 everyone would take more civic Violin 2 Viola pride in their park. The Alien has Cello explored zillions of galaxies, but Bass Flute she’s never seen anything as Oboe brash, daring or infectious as this Bass Clarinet idea of Democracy! Trumpet Trombone Harp Guitar Percussion (x4) Community choruses sing “The Star Spangled Banner” and recite “Paul Revere’s Ride” (optional) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Sound System DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS Family Opera Initiative and American Opera Projects; Major Support from the Jae Family Foundation; NY State Council for the Arts PREMIERE Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn, NY, July 2002 For licensing opportunities and other information contact Grethe Barrett Holby [email protected] 917-690-0272 212-431-7039 WWW.ARDEAARTS.COM.